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About
How Lee Chinese Food
Looking for a solid option for Szechuan cuisine in Squirrel Hill? Look no further than How Lee Chinese Food. Known for their flavorful dishes and attentive service, this no-frills spot has garnered a loyal following among locals.
Customers rave about the mala-style fish with tofu, which offers an addicting numbing spiciness that pairs perfectly with rice. The tender eggplant and crispy chongqing chicken are also crowd favorites, though best enjoyed fresh in-person rather than as takeout.
One standout aspect of How Lee is their menu offerings. From the spicy CHONGQING FRIED DRY HOT CHICKEN to the comforting WEST LAKE MINCED BEEF SOUP, each dish showcases the chef's experience with the wok and attention to flavor. The FISH FILET WITH CABBAGE IN PASTE CHILI and MAPO TOFU provide a satisfying kick for spice enthusiasts.
While the food consistently receives high marks, some customers have noted room for improvement in the restaurant's interior. Suggestions for modernizing the decor and enhancing the overall dining experience have been made, but the quality of the cuisine remains unmatched.
In summary, How Lee Chinese Food offers a taste of authentic Chinese flavors right in the heart of Pittsburgh. Whether you're craving a spicy stir-fry or a comforting bowl of soup, this spot is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Stop by for a memorable dining experience that will leave you coming back for more.
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“ Very solid option for Szechuan cuisine in squirrel hill-- I especially enjoyed the mala-style fish with tofu which had an addicting numbing spiciness (the sauce went great with rice). The eggplant was tender and chongqing chicken was very crispy (though would not travel well if eaten as take out). This is a no-frills spot but service is attentive and fast. ”
“ Pretty classic Sq Hill Chinese joint. It's a little greasy but like I said - classic. The people are very nice, but don't go when they're getting near closing time - they won't serve you in person. ”
“ My dad is the greatest food critic of all and he actually enjoyed the meals he has had here! So that's saying something. Growing up with home-cooked meals and living near New York Chinatown and Philly Chinatown, we have high standards for good Chinese food. My dad said How Lee has food ON PAR with both Chinatowns and that's a huge statement coming from my dad who would say something good as "not bad". I've read and seen the poor reviews here and I'm convinced that they're just ordering the wrong things. We ordered the CHONGQING FRIED DRY HOT CHICKEN (chicken deep fried), CHENDU FRIED DRY HOT CHICKEN (chicken pan fry), FISH FILET WITH CABBAGE IN PASTE CHILI, SHREDDED PORK WITH DRY TOFU, WEST LAKE MINCED BEEF SOUP, AND MAPO TOFU. The fried dry hot chicken explains itself and is very spicy so be careful! Many items are spicy and/or are cooked with chili oil so look closely at the menu if you want to less/no spicy food. The shredded pork and other stir fried items have great "wok hay", meaning the chef is experienced with the wok and how to maintain it well. Also the west lake minced beef soup is my all time favorite, and what I order when I'm homesick. Cantonese soups tend to be thicker than what people are used to, and it gives a different experience where you "eat" your soup. Whenever I'm craving Chinese food, this is the place to go. Service: The service is also on par with typical Chinese restaurants. Don't be offended if it's not "as friendly as American restaurants", that's just how our culture typically is. Interior: Every time my parents come here when they visit, they wonder why there's a big discrepancy between the food quality and the foot traffic in the restaurant. It has such a good location in Squirrel Hill and there's plenty of foot traffic on the corner of Forbes and Shady. We concluded that they probably should take initiate to market more and to modernize their interior a bit. The seats are taped up showing wear and tear, the decor is sparse and dusty, and their blinds are always closed making the restaurant more fluorescent and could mislead people to think they're closed. I think small changes can lead to big results! tldr; Food 5/5 Service 4/5 Interior 3.5/5 ”
